Middle States Self-Evaluation Underway

Millersville University is well underway with its most recent cycle of self-evaluation and reflection associated the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In fall 2025, work began on the 2027-28 self-study design and eventual report, continuing the University's accreditation history that was first established in 1950.

MSCHE accreditation processes allow complex institutions like universities to demonstrate their continuous commitment to transparent, equitable and effective strategies that benefit all constituents. "This process plays a central role in reaffirming our accreditation and strengthening our commitment to academic excellence, integrity and continuous improvement," wrote President Daniel Wubah in a campus announcement. "It provides a valuable occasion for us to showcase our successes, examine our practices and identify meaningful ways to enhance the Millersville experience for our students, faculty and staff." The President invited faculty, staff, students and administrators to join the self-study team in October 2025.

Deep reflection and self-critique begin with two pillars - first, Middle States' standards, which clearly delineate expectations for institutional performance in seven critical domains, and secondly, the self-study process, in which a team of members of the institution plan and complete a rigorous, data-oriented review of how well their campus has lived up to those expectations in the period under review. Campus team leaders and a steering committee guide the extensive process as members drawn from all University sectors convene in working groups aligned to one of the MSCHE's seven standards for effective institutional performance. The self-study process moves from an approved self-study design to the creation of a detailed report to share the Millersville team's findings with a group of MSCHE external reviewers, who conduct an onsite visit later in the process.

Millersville's self-study team is co-led by Dr. Carol Runge, assistant vice president of institutional assessment and planning; Dr. Rachel Finley-Bowman, associate provost and dean of University College; and Dr. Kim McCollum-Clark, associate professor of English and faculty coordinator for general education. The full team began its work in December 2025 in an orientation and planning session, followed by a January 2026 retreat. Each working group has two co-chairs, who report on the working group's detailed efforts as members of the steering committee. To amplify the voice and experiences of Millersville students, a student advisory committee will participate throughout the self-study process and has already hosted student focus groups and reviewed the self-study design.

The early work of the working groups and steering committee was validated when the self-study design proposal was approved by MSCHE in May 2026. The work groups continue to meet over the summer to collect and review evidence that shows how the University continues to meet accreditation requirements while identifying areas of strength and opportunities for growth. Their work helps inform conversations about how Millersville University can continue to innovate, improve and achieve its mission to provide high-quality education to all students. MSCHE especially values that all shareholders and community members have prominent roles in the self-study process.

As a valued member of the University community, please contribute to the final self-study report. Opportunities to participate in the self-study process and additional information can be located on the Millersville University Self-Study 2027-2028 webpage: https://www.millersville.edu/middlestates/

"Engaging in the MSCHE self-study is more than a procedural requirement; it is a university-wide conversation about our identity, our values and our vision for the future," Wubah said. "Together, we will demonstrate to our peers and to ourselves the strength of our community and our enduring dedication to quality, accountability and student success."